-- 1 John 4:20-21 –

-- 1 John 4:20-21 =E2=80=93

20 If any one says, =E2=80=9CI love God,=E2=80=9D and hates his brother, he=
 is a liar;
for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot[a] love
God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from him,
that he who loves God should love his brother also.  RSVCE
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
It is easy to say we love God when that love doesn't cost us anything
more than weekly attendance at religious services. But the real test
of our love for God is how we treat the people right in front of
us--our family members and fellow believers. We cannot truly love God
while neglecting or ignoring those who are created in his image.

<<>><<>><<>>
December 22nd - St. Ernan

Lived in the sixth century. He was uncle of St. Columba, and one of
the 12 who accompanied him from Ireland to Iona. He was brother of
Ethnea, St. Columba's mother, and son of Dima, the son of Noe of the
race of Cathaeir Ivor (Reeves, notes, p. 263).

St. Columba appointed him superior of the community which he himself
had established on the island of Hinba. The identity of Hinba has not
been established with certainty. It may be Canna, about four miles N.
W. of Rum (ibid., p. 264); but more likely it is Eilean-na-Naoimh, one
of the Gaveloch Isles, between Scarba and Mull (Fowler's Adamnan, p.
87). Hinba was a favourite place of resort for St. Columba.
There he was visited by St. Comgall, St. Cannich, St. Brendan, and St.
Cormac. At the request of these holy men, St. Columba celebrated Mass,
during which St. Brendan beheld a luminous globe of fire above St.
Columba's head. It continued burning and rising up like a column of
flame, till the Holy Mysteries had been completed (Adamnan, III,
xvii). On another occasion, while visiting St. Ernan's monastery in
Hinba, St. Columba was favoured with heavenly visions and revelations
which lasted three days and nights (Adamnan, III, xviii).
The death of St. Ernan was tragic. Being seized with an illness, he
desired to be carried to Iona. St. Columba, greatly rejoiced at his
coming, started to meet him. Ernan likewise hastened but when he was
twenty-four paces from his nephew he fell to the earth and died. Thus
was the prophecy of St. Columba fulfilled, that he would never again
see Ernan alive (Adamnan, I, xlv). See Adamnan's Life of St Columba
http://www.usu.edu/~history/norm/columb~1.htm


Saint Quote:
It is not man that causes the things offered to become the Body and
Blood of Christ, but He who was crucified for us, Christ Himself. The
priest, in the role of Christ, pronounces these words, but their Power
and Grace are God's. This is my body, He says. This word transforms
the things offered.
--Saint John Chrysostom

Bible Quote
Now about the midst of the feast, Jesus went up into the temple, and
taught. 15 And the Jews wondered, saying: How doth this man know
letters, having never learned? 16 Jesus answered them, and said: My
doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.  (John 7:14-16)
Saint Quote:
We must pray incessantly for the gift of perseverance.
--St. Philip Neri


<><><><>
Who abideth in charity, abideth in God, and God in him.--1 John 4:16
2. Those deceive themselves who believe that union with God consists
in ecstasies or raptures, and in the enjoyment of Him. For it consists
in nothing except the surrender and subjection of our will with our
thoughts, words and actions, to the will of God and it is perfect when
the will finds itself separated from everything, and attached only to
that of God, so that every one of its movements is solely and purely
the volition of God. This is the true and essential union which I have
always desired, and which I constantly ask of the Lord. Oh, how many
of us there are who say this, and who think we desire only this! But,
wretched that we are, how few are ever to attain it!
--St. Teresa

This Saint never ceased to wonder at the great privilege which man
possesses in being able to unite himself to his Creator, and at the
wonderful desire which so great a sovereign entertains to see him
united to Himself. This, therefore, was the object of her keenest
desires, and for this she strove more ardently than for anything else.
St. John the Baptist abode in the desert for twenty-four years. God
knows how his heart was touched with love for his Saviour even from
his birth, and how earnestly he desired to enjoy His presence; and
yet, devoted to the simple will of God, he remained there discharging
his duty, without even once seeing Him. And after he had Baptized Him,
he did not follow Him, but continued in his office. What can we say of
all this, if not that his was a spirit detached from all things and
from God Himself, to perform His will? "This example," said St.
Francis de Sales, "overwhelms my soul with its grandeur."
   ( "A Year with the Saints". -- December: Union)